Perth, Oz- please help ! Have so many questions

Yowsers. But I got a kilo of coffee beans at the local Continental shop for $22 and that lasts us a month. Mind you, as my children have decided to become semi-nocturnal, I expect we are going to start going through much more of the stuff. I think Mosman is right that it isn't quite as simple as a straight currency conversion. Different things are cheap and expensive.

I am so glad you are having a better time now Mosman. You had a really rotten stretch and are about due for a good one.

I look at it as take the UK sum, use the exchange rate and then double it or go the other way round and that gives you an idea of what you can expect for your money. Coffee is on special today at just $15 a jar

Yes it's expensive here, but to put things in perspective I have just seen an ad in today's paper looking for a postie, pay is $45k. So yes, when you convert prices back to Uk or European currencies it can be a shocker, once you are earning here its fine. some things are cheaper, fuel for example, some more expensive (eating and drinking out, $10 for a pint is quite normal). On the plus side there is a lot to enjoy for free, last weekend we discovered the free bbqs at the beach, just bring your own sausages! ( we were trying to imagine having the same thing back in Ireland, with the way fuel prices are I reckon most people would be using them every night to cook dinner!). also free is the Swan Valley drive where there are loads of vineyards, breweries, chocolate, honey, nougat, ice cream etc all giving away free samples, we had a very happy day there will certainly be back!

But before you get excited, others on the thread are correct about the medical stuff. My medical was referred as I had a period of depression, but apparently they are only concerned if they think you are going to have a very expensive medical problem. You have to pay for all mess, police checks, and visa applications too, it can get pricey. Even though my husband is Aussie, my visa cost about £2k more or less, and that was just for me! Also it can be a long process depending on which visa you are going for, the spouse visa is currently taking 9 months from putting papers in. Sponsored visas are much quicker though.

Anyway, if you need to know anything else feel free to pm me, we are only here six weeks so I know what it is like on the other side.

And ben5 hello from Shoalwater! We are practically neighbours( everybody needs good.....)

With the children being the ages they are you'll settle and have a great life here, the practicalities are as people have already said you need to make sure the salary is enough. Currently we are trying to live as a family of 6 on $100,000 and it's very difficult but then we couldn't live on the equivalent ie £33,000 in the UK either.I would say you couldn't accept less than $100,000 I'm your situation.Perth has really grown on me, I can't see myself going back now and just three months ago I was half packed up ready to leave.

I moved to port Kennedy near rockingham in June 09. I love it here. Ds1 has a peanut allergy and we saw dr Somerville who's a allergy dr. He's based just south of the river. We have medical insurance with bupa but Medicare will help and there is a limit of how much you will have to be out of pocket. PMH is the children's hospital in perth and is great. You have the option to use your private medical stuff or just use it like the NHS . Takes a weight of your mind if you have a poorly kid knowing that you don't have to pay for it.People have different views on different schools. Go where you feel happy. Private schools are cheaper than uk ones.Ngala can help with your under 5. Sports clubs are great over here so just shout at local club and they will( should!!) welcome you with open arms. There's also things like scouts and guides. The beaches and parks are lovely. Public transport is better than uk( well better than Plymouth!!!). Online shopping is easy with Coles but 24 hour opening hasn't reached us but you learn to deal with this. It's quite nice really but iga has better opening hours. Perth is like the 80's in a sense but we I'd have 21'st cent. Stuff lik Internet and fox tell!!! Pm if you need more info

Gracious, so many questions! I arrived in Perth 8 years ago with a 20 month old and a 4 year old. Still very happy here.

As others have said, Perth is expensive, but salaries are much, much more generous than the UK to cover this. I have friends with kids with allergies and they seem to manage very well! Our medical insurance for a family of four is around $260/month, and allows partial rebate on all medical expenses up to an annual limit. Don't forget there is the equivalent of the NHS here, although you could find yourselves slightly constrained using it if your husband was to come here on a temporary business visa (457) or similar.

Do bear in mind that you will have to undertake a medical to come to Australia, and there may be implications if you have any ongoing medical problems which could be seen as a burden to the state. This is worth looking into for you I think.

I found it incredibly easy to meet other families via playgroups and school, just as you would anywhere in the UK. Perth has a large immigrant population, so other Brits are never far away.

Do have a look at Poms in Perth website or British Expats website. I used the latter extensively to find all sorts of information before we came.

And breathe.....Perth is wonderful! Come with a positive attitude and you will be fine! Life for children is lovely here. Allergies happen here too, it's not a total backwater. Everything can be sorted. Yes, food is expensive but wages are a lot more too. Please feel free to pm me. I've been here 18 years and love it!

I lived in Adelaide for a few years so will help with some of your questions. When we were preparing I found the British expats forum very useful - you may want to take a look.

Allergies are very common in Oz. All the supermarkets do a range of foods. I'm not sure of costs but the major supermarkets are Coles, Foodland and Woolworths. You can do a pretend online shop with Coles and look at prices.

If you go on a 457 visa, then you will need to take out medical insurance to cover things like ambulance cover. I can't remember who we used. You also get reciprocal health cover by registering with Medicare.

Prescriptions can be expensive. There is a cap on the total amount that you have to pay each year.

I found a car essential - its too hot to walk far in Summer! Cars are expensive to buy second hand, they hold their value.

I don't know much about Perth itself - my aunt lives in Freemantle which seems a nice area.

My Hubby has an interview in 2 weeks for a position in Perth, although there is no guarantee he will get it I am in a complete panic. He has a history of making snap decisions and really wants to relocate.

I am petrified !, for so many reasons but firstly I have never been to oz but I am finding myself worrying about day to day Mum things.

My children are 6 and 2

Both of my children have multiple food allergies. It costs a fortune in the UK to feed them and I find myself having to use online specific retailers. I can not buy their Oat milk, oat cream from certain retailers here and iI am reading posts saying that the supermarkets in oz are like in the 1980's !.

Does anyone know what the alternative/ free from options are like in Oz specifically Perth retailers . Also the cost ?. If normal food is more expensive I am dreading that theirs will be.

Also how would I go about finding them an allergy consultant. My children need testing each year. Does anyone know what this would cost ?

Can you please advice on medical insurance.

The next issue is my health. I am on a lot of medication and need neurological checks each year. What do scripts costs ? can you buy annual certificate ?

Does perth has online supermarket shopping ?, is a car essential ?,

are schools ofsteded ?

are there any area's you would recommend avoiding ? - my hubby has already started the house search !

are there any area's favoured by brits ?

whats activities are there for children ?

private nurseries , how much ? quality ?

I know this is a long post and has bad grammar , just trying to get something down whilst my little one is distracted. so many more questions :{